MIDTERMS: Max Zimmer (University of Wisconsin, NCAA)

After a hiatus for the 2017 NHL trade deadline, we return to our ‘Midterms’ series that checks in on the Carolina Hurricanes prospects below the AHL level. These articles leverage the insight of scouts, analysts and media who watch these players regularly and offer a ‘from the rink’ perspective on these young future Hurricanes players.

If you are catching up, you can find a clickable menu of the previous ‘Midterm’ check ins on a number of Hurricanes prospects at the bottom of the article.

Max Zimmer 2016-17 season capsule

Max Zimmer was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fourth round of the 2016 NHL draft. After playing for the Chicago Steel in the USHL in 2015-16, Zimmer enrolled at the University of Wisconsin and is a freshman there for the 2016-17 season. Zimmer is a 6-0 forward whose greatest projectable strength is probably his speed and skating ability. As a freshman, Zimmer has collected 3 goals and 6 assists in 30 games playing primarily left wing on 1 of the Badgers’ top 3 forward lines.

Mid-season interview on Max Zimmer with Andy Baggot from Andy Baggot at UWBadgers.com

Andy Baggot (Twitter=@AndyBaggot) is a long-time writer and reporter for University of Wisconsin athletics including hockey. Previously with the Wisconsin State Journal, Andy now covers Wisconsin athletics for UWBadgers.com.

Canes and Coffee: What were your first impressions of freshman Max Zimmer after seeing him in his first few games in a Wisconsin Badgers uniform this past fall?

Andy Baggot: Very impressed. Skates extremely well and has a nose for the net. Really like his playmaking instincts.

Canes and Coffee: What is Max Zimmer’s current role on the team?

Andy Baggot: He’s bounced around the top three lines, typically playing left wing. He’s on the No. 2 power play and seen action on the penalty kill. He’s one of four forwards to play in every game.

Canes and Coffee: Through over half of the 2016-17 season, how would you describe Max Zimmer’s play and accomplishments thus far at the college level?

Andy Baggot: He has all the tools and instincts to be elite. The coaches think very highly of him. That said, he appears to have hit a production wall, which happens to most freshmen at this level. He has one point, an assist, in his last 11 games.

Canes and Coffee: What jumps out about Max Zimmer’s game that projects to be NHL caliber? What areas do you see for improvement at this early stage of his development?

Andy Baggot: His skating jumps off the page. Same goes for his playmaking. Still learning to be patient. Given his current slump, his confidence is iffy.

Canes and Coffee: Is there anything else about Max Zimmer that might be of interest to Carolina Hurricanes fans?

Andy Baggot: Great kid. It bears repeating that the Wisconsin coaching staff sees him as a high-end goal-scorer one day.

Canes and Coffee would like to extend a huge thank you to Andy Baggot for his generosity with his time in sharing his ‘from the rink’ viewpoint on Max Zimmer’s 2016-17 season thus far.

More on Max Zimmer plus menu of previous MIDTERMS on Hurricanes prospects